150 Target stores will get Segway patrols

What's good for the police is apparently good for Target Security Patrols as well. Whenever we hear about police departments moving some officers to the two-wheeled, battery-powered Segway PTs (like this), they often mention a certain list of advantages: added height, ease of operation and emissions-free travel. The press release put out by Target, which announces the company's acquisition of Segways to be used as patrol vehicles at 150 stores, mentions the same three features. You'd almost think Segway has a hand in this sort of PR.
Anyway, the purchase makes Target one of the largest buyers of Segways. The vehicles will be used in parking lots and "surrounding environments" by Targets across the country. The chain even developed a special Segway PT training program for Target security personnel (step one should be "don't be like the president"). Remember when we were told that these devices were going to change the world?

Press Release:

Feb 18, 2008 11:56 ET

Target Purchases a Fleet of Segway(R) PTs for Security Patrols at More Than 150 Stores

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Segway Inc. today announced that Target has purchased a fleet of Segway(R) Personal Transporters (PTs) making Target one of Segway's largest customers. The units will be used for security patrols at more than 150 Target and SuperTarget stores throughout the U.S. Minneapolis-based B2B Segway, a Segway Authorized Dealer specializing in commercial applications, secured the Target contract and executed the deployment of the units to the Target stores.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080218/AQM048)

Tripp Welborne, director of operations, Assets Protection, Target, said, "The Segway PT is an innovative addition to our multi-layered mobile security strategy that employs technology to ensure the safeness of our guests and team members."

"We are honored to have Target as our customer," said Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. "Target has achieved success by focusing on great guest service and this purchase of a large Segway PT fleet is an extension of that."

Target Assets Protection team members will use the Segway PTs to patrol the parking lots and surrounding environments of Target stores in markets such as Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and Seattle. In preparation for the launch of the program, Target developed a comprehensive Segway PT training program that security personnel completed before the units were deployed at their stores.

Worldwide more than 600 police and security organizations use Segway PTs to patrol urban business centers, airports, university and corporate campuses, parks and shopping malls. The Segway PT has several operating characteristics that make it ideally suited to these tasks:

Officers stand eight inches taller on a Segway PT making it easier for them to see and be seen over crowds and parked cars.

Segway PTs are self-balancing even when standing still, and can turn in place. This enables officers to easily move among parked cars and shoppers.

The units are battery powered, use no gasoline and give off no emissions during operation. Thus, they can be used both indoors and out.

Segway Inc. develops intelligent motion control technology known as Segway(R) Smart Motion(TM) that is embedded in the light electric transportation devices it manufactures, such as the Segway(R) Personal Transporter (PT). The company has a worldwide distribution network of more than 350 retail points in 80 countries. For additional information about Segway and to find retail locations, please visit http://www.segway.com/. Media materials and digital images are available at the Segway Press Center at http://www.segway.com/news.

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